Pyramids right-back and Egyptian international Ahmed Fathi opened up about the national team captaincy situation and how he reacted to Mohamed Salah taking the armband.
Egypt national team head coach Carlos Queiroz had decided that Salah will be the team leader on the pitch despite Ahmed Fathi being the most senior member of the squad.
Fathi had made his debut for Egypt back in 2002 and has 133 caps so far, representing the Pharaohs in five AFCONs, the 2009 Confederation Cup, and the 2018 World Cup.
He had revealed previously that he refused to give up the national team captaincy during Hossam El-Badry’s era, hinting that its the reason for his exclusion from the squad.
Fathi opened up about the situation to clear the misconceptions while also discussing his departure from Al Ahly and denying the rumors claiming that he signed for Zamalek back then.
“National team captaincy situation is a long story. Wael Gomaa told me that Queiroz wants to give the armband to Mohamed Salah, and I didn’t mind that at all,” Fathi said.
“When Hossam El-Badry was in charge the situation was different. I don’t want to talk about it, but the circumstances were different and the way I was asked was different.
“Having the armband or not doesn’t matter to me, I didn’t mind the decision. I am still a part of the Egyptian national team.”
About signing for Zamalek rumors Fathi said: “If I really signed for Zamalek, then where are the contracts. They offered me a huge salary, even more than what they offered Abdallah El-Said.”
